Subterranean River National Park: Puerto Princesa Underground River

When people are discussing about the Province of Palawan, the Underground River of Puerto Princesa never missed out of the topic. That is why its no wonder that Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park or simply the Puerto Princesa Underground River was chosen and now officially enlisted as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. The great news was announced last November 11, 2011.

Other than that, Puerto Princesa Underground River is also included in the list of UNESCO, a convention concerning the protection of world cultural and natural heritage, along with other 3 cultural sites (Baroque Churches of the Philippines, Rice Terraces of the Cordillera and the Historic Town of Vigan) and another natural site (Tubbataha Reef Natural Park).

How to get there?
First, Book a flight or a ferry (by 2GO and RORO) going to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Next is visit the Underground River Booking Office to secure a visiting permit to the underground river. Don't miss to secure a permit as it is a vital requirement for you to be able to experience this tour. From Palawan Airport, ride a tricycle going to the booking office. Just inform the tricycle driver that your going to the booking office of Underground River and they already know where to drop you off. You may have your advance booking reservation at undergroundriver_ppsrnp@mozcom.com or call the booking office using these numbers: Tel. +63(48) 723- 2563 / Telefax +63(48) 434-2509. After getting your permit, you may start commuting going to Sabang where you'll be hiring a boat to bring you to the Underground River. In order to reach Sabang, ride again a tricycle that will take you to San Jose New Market Terminal. Then from New Market Terminal, ride a jeepney going to Sabang. Fare is about 130 Pesos and it is a 1.5 hour jeepney ride. As you reach Sabang, go to the Tourism office and book a boat that will take you to the entrance of Underground River. Boat ride from Sabang port to the area of the Underground River is about 30-45 minutes. Upon reaching the area, have yourself enlisted again for another boat (a paddle boat). This is the one that will take you inside and tour you at the longest underwater river on earth!

Boatride from Sabang going to the Underground River

Park Rates and Other Fees:

General Entrance Fee	Rates
Adult Minor	Php 100 (local) & Php 150 (international) Php 75 (local) & Php 100 (international)
Underground River Entrance Fee
Adult Minor	Php 175 (local) & Php 250 (international) Php 100 (local) & Php 150 (international)
Commercial Video Fee
Commercial Video Fee	Php 3,000

Boat Price list that will take visitors to the UR

Boat Service Rates:

Round trip  Sabang - Underground River	Rates
6 Pax 7 Pax 8 Pax	Php 700.00 Php 800.00 Php 900.00

Another view upon reaching the site of the Underground River

Groupfie at the UR signage!

To know more about the booking rules as well as the do's and don'ts of this tour, you may visit the official website of Puerto Princesa Underground River: http://www.puerto-undergroundriver.com/tourism/. And if you want to know what's inside the cave, just keep on scrolling that mouse ball and enjoy the ride, virtually!

Upside down T-rex

Sweet Corn! Didn't know how they know its sweet tho...

"Puso ng Saging" :)

Back of a sexy lady... oh yeah!

Visitors will not only see rock formations when they tour inside the cave/river but also fruit bats

By the way, the tour inside the cave will take visitors for 2 hours. Just appreciate the rock formations inside and also your boatman's prepared jokes. The boatman who toured us, named Kuya Gerald, really did made an effort to entertain us all with his side comments, jokes, and tricks. I really enjoyed the whole trip. All I can say is, this is really a must visit place when you are in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Vigan Tourist Spots: Calesa Tour of Metro Vigan Inn

This month of June hasn't been so good to me. I've been sick for weeks already reason why I haven't blogged and sometimes even check my site for a couple of days. As for my come back, let me continue and finish off my Metro Vigan Inn blog series. This will be my third and last installment of my Metro Vigan Inn experience. On my previous blog posts, I've already featured their hotel and in-house cafe and now I'll be covering their very own "Calesa Tour" which is a special tour within the noted spots in the city of Vigan.

By the way, before I start touring you in Vigan virtually, let me give you an idea on how you can avail the Vigan tour of Metro Vigan Inn. Well, aside from directly going there, you may have your reservations at Metro Vigan Inn's online reservation service at www.metroviganinn.com or through their reservation office at (077) 674-0448 and (+63917) 824-3800. You may also want to like and check their Facebook page at ww.facebook.com/Metroviganinn.

Going back, the "Calasa Tour" rates at 700 Pesos per person. It is a 4-hour city Calesa tour which features the UNESCO World Heritage town of Vigan. The tour includes a visit to notable Vigan's churches, gardens, pottery, restaurants and the famous Calle Crisologo. Also, one can upgrade the package to what they called "Sunset Tour", which makes the whole tour lasts for 6 hours by adding up 300 Pesos per person. The Sunset Tour includes a trip to a zoo, a hotel, a museum, a snack at Vigan Empanadaan and lastly, at the Plaza Salcedo where tourists can witness Vigan's version of a Dancing Fountain.

Let the Calesa Tour begin!

Now that you have an idea on how to avail and what to expect, shall we begin the tour?

St. Augustine Parish Church and Its Bell Tower

The St. Augustine Parish Church, one of the oldest churches of Ilocos Sur, was built in 1590. It was named after St. Agustine, the patron saint, by the Augustinian Friars. The church was damaged during WWII but was reconstructed in 1950.

Aside from being a bell tower, Bantay Bell Tower also served as a watchtower during Spanish colonial period. Bantay Bell Tower speaks for its name which means "guard" in our native language. The bell tower had witnessed several uprisings in the past and been guarding the town of Vigan/Ilocos Sur for several decades now.

Outside view of St Augustine Church 

Inside the church

The Bantayan Bell Tower

This is Santorini a Cemetery. View from the Bell Tower

Calle Crisologo

A well known street in Vigan which features Spanish Era ancestral houses. This street is one of the main reason why Vigan is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. People who'll visit Calle Crisologo can expect ancient tile roofs and floorings, balustrades and azoteas in varying Spanish, Mexican, and Chinese architectural styles.

Crossing out one item on my travel bucket list!

The busy street of Calle Crisologo

Old yet so interesting

Selfie time! :)

Bloggers I met on this trip! (and some strangers also visiting Calle Crisologo)

Calle Crisologo by night

Their not ghost... its people who walks right in while I'm shooting in long exposure... oh well.

Hidden Garden and Lilong & Lilang Restaurant

Located in Barangay Bulala Centro, Vigan City, Hidden Garden is a simple garden decorated with lots of beautiful and interesting potteries, figurines and wood carvings. In other words this garden offers amazing landscape design. More over, due to the growing popularity of Hidden Garden, the owner decided to add another part in his garden which is the restaurant. 

Hidden Garden's Lilong & Lilang Restaurant serves authentic Ilocano dishes and their specialty... the Vigan Empanada! It is an Ilocano style tacos with longganisa, papaya, egg and monggo which is seasoned with herb.

Welcome to Hidden Garden!

My most favorite shot in this trip

Selfie and an empanada from Lilong & Lilang Restaurant

Senorita Dulce

Senorita Dulce is one of the recognized place in Vigan where you can buy Vigan's sweet delicacies and "pasalubong". I recommend you to try out their butterscotch as well as their cassavas. Kids and kids alike who have an active sweet tooth will surely enjoy this place!

Welcome to Senorita Dulce!

Pasalubongs you can buy

Hotel Salcedo de Vigan

Presenting Hotel Salcedo de Vigan

Plaza Salcedo

The historical Plaza Salcedo is the central park of Vigan. It was named after to Juan de Salcedo who was a Spanish conqueror and founder of the old Villa Fernandina de Vigan (now called as Vigan City). Plaza Salcedo is also where Gabriela Silang's execution takes place in 1763. But today, Plaza Salcedo is converted to a venue where one can experience and witness a dancing fountain show. It happens every night at 7:30 PM.

Dancing Fountain show of Vigan

Yes, kids and kids at heart are allowed to play in the water

Baluarte

Baluarte is a 80 hectares wide zoo owned by the city's governor, Gov. Chavit Singson. Though Baluarte constuction is still on-going, people can still visit the place and take note: it's free of admission and use of facilities like their picnic area and comfort rooms. Bringing your own food inside is also allowed. It is open daily from 7am to 6pm and for inquiries you may reach them at 6377-722-7186.

Forgot the name of this animal. By the way that's Soshi and Carol :)

Alice feeding the deers!

Posing with these cockatoos

Marsha's Delicacies

Just like Senorita Dulce, Marsha's Delicacies is a dessert shop slash food & drink shop slash snack place slash "pasalubong" center in Vigan. It is where you can avail Vigan's famous garlic longanisa and also the "putok-batok" bagnet meats!

Just some of the things you can buy

Tables and chairs may be empty... but look at the line in the cashier

There you have it guys! Hope you enjoyed your virtual access to Vigan's some notable spots. So what are you waiting for? Tag along your friends & family and visit Vigan now and experience it yourself! 

This is a sponsored post. I accept partnership proposals as long as they are relevant to travel, outdoors, food and tourism. For advertising inquiries, please use the contact form on the Contact Me page of this site or directly send me an e-mail at aremgelogo@gmail.com. 

Metro Vigan Cafe: A taste of Asian Ilocandia Cuisine

My Vigan experience will not be completed if I hadn't tasted Vigan's very own delicacies and cuisines. That's is why I'm really thankful to the management of Metro Vigan Inn and the people behind Powercom for inviting Geejay Travel Log to this wonderful visit, tour and food trip to Vigan. Well, this serves as my second entry of my Metro Vigan Inn blog series. After my feature blog post of their hotel, click here, now I'll be featuring their newly launched in-house restaurant which they called Metro Vigan Cafe.

To give you a short background, Metro Vigan Cafe is just right inside the vicinity of Metro Vigan Inn. It is an in-house restaurant specially made both to the guest of the inn and as well as to other people (non-guests) who are looking for cuisines having a twist or taste of Vigan. Have you tasted Kare Kareng Bagnet? How about Sinanglao and Poki Poki? Not yet? Well, these are just some of the cuisines awaiting for you when you pick Metro Vigan Cafe. Metro Vigan Cafe specialized in Asian Ilocandia Cuisine!

Welcome to Metro Vigan Cafe!

Are you ready for some virtual food trip? Just keep on scrolling that mouse ball and be enticed on the dishes Metro Vigan Inn prepared for us. By the way, I posted all the dishes we ate during our whole stay. So this will be a load of images!

Appetizer

SISIG CRISPY BAGNET (148 Pesos)
A heart and tasty appetizer with a twist of crisp and crunch here and there chopped crispy bagnet with secret spices top with egg, garnish with mayo for creamy and crispy texture every byte.

Sisig ala Bagnet. Anyone?

POKI POKI (128 Pesos)
Scrambled egg mixed with eggplant a cheap appetizer that will definitely condition your appetite.

ehem hahaha...

SPRING ROLL LONGANIZA (128 Pesos)
Instead of usual pork wrapped inside the spring roll. we use a house made longaniza to give new subtle taste.

Dipping it to Sukang Vigan makes it extra special

Soup

SINANGLAO (188 Pesos)
This hot and hearty soup upon serving taste just as delicious as the Sinanglao soup that you came to love.

It looks like Sinigang but it does taste like "Papaitan"

BULALO (288 Pesos)
Cooked with enough time, patience and with its original taste, one won't make bulalo a less favorite yours.

Served in big chunks. Worth to try!

Entree

STEAMED MALAGA (300 Pesos)
This classic Ilocano fish is steamed on top of fresh tomatoes, onions and ginger, to give a unique and taste flavor.

My fellow bloggers really like this dish

HITO AT TALONG (198 Pesos)
Pan fried cat fish and grilled eggplants. stewed in smoked coconut milk.

Since I love anything with Gata, this is one of my favorite dish!

METRO VIGAN CHICKEN (Whole 319 Pesos & Half 188 Pesos)
Simplicity is beauty. this original chicken of ours will already satisfy your starving stomach with its unique spices.

Tastes like Sincerity's fried chicken

CRISPY PATA (458 Pesos)
Deep fried pig trotters and knuckles that comes with a soy-vinegar dip.

Do I have to comment on this????

PINAPUTOK NA TILAPIA (158 Pesos)
Stuffed with fresh tomatoes, onions and ginger, this steamed tilapia will surely make your tummy burst and comeback for more.

I'm not a fan of tilapia so I didn't try it. Sorry.

CRISPY BAGNET (258 Pesos)
A classic Ilocano dish, deep fried pork belly crisp to perfection.

Crispy sken, juicy meat... just perfect!

KALDERETANG PATO (228 Pesos)
House specialty braised duck and tomato stew with secret herbs and spices. a must try

KARE KARE BAGNET (258 Pesos)
A Filipino favorite vegetable dish paired with crispy and freshly cooked bagnet.

My most favorite dish served by Metro Vigan Cafe. Very recommendable!

Vegetables

PINAKBET NA BAGNET (198 Pesos)
The Ilocanoes favorite vegetable garnished with crispy bagnet chunks will make this dish truly delightful.

CHOPSUEY (168 Pesos)
Believed to be Chinese origin and one of Filipinos favorites, this starch chicken dish with meaty meat and vegetables will surely leave you satisfied.

Rice & Noodles

METRO VIGAN FRIED RICE (Small 98 Pesos Med 168 Pesos Large 208 Pesos)
Vigan chorizo combined with Chinese chorizo are used as base to twist this Chinese classic to an original metro Vigan cafe dish.

METRO VIGAN PANCIT CANTON (Small 98 Pesos Med 168 Pesos Large 208 Pesos XL 298 Pesos)
A colorful noodle meal with ingredients of vegetable and/or chicken/squid balls that is not only delicious to the eyes, but the mouth and the stomach as well.

And that's the end of your Metro Vigan Cafe virtual food trip ala Geejay Travel Log. So, who's craving for some Ilocandia cuisines? If so, book a flight or grab a bus ticket now going to Ilocos (Vigan) and visit Metro Vigan Inn and Cafe to taste it yourself!

Contact Metro Vigan Inn & Cafe!

Reservations can be made through Metro Vigan Inn's online reservation service at www.metroviganinn.com or through their reservation office at (077) 674-0448 and (+63917) 824-3800. Check their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Metroviganinn

Metro Vigan Inn

Bayubay Norte, San Vicente, Ilocus Sur

This is a sponsored post. I accept partnership proposals as long as they are relevant to travel, outdoors, food and tourism. For advertising inquiries, please use the contact form on the Contact Me page of this site or directly send me an e-mail at aremgelogo@gmail.com.